As vehicles age, individual components within an engine wear down a little bit every time it’s being driven. When fluid is routed through hoses and lines, various types of gaskets are responsible for keeping things leak free. Unfortunately, these gaskets deteriorate and can eventually fail. One of the more common reasons for an engine oil … Read more
Little can be as concerning as the sudden onset of a strange sound from beneath your vehicle’s hood. No matter the type of sound, one’s thoughts automatically begin to turn toward impending engine failure and the excessive expenditure that might result from such an issue. Few such noises are as common as a ticking or … Read more
In a four stroke combustion engine, intake and exhaust valves play a critical role in a vehicle’s ability to turn fuel into power. What Do Valves Do? Valves control the movement of a fluid through a system. Inside your car engine, that fluid is air. On the intake stroke, intake valves must open to allow … Read more
Most motorists come to know their vehicles quite well, both inside and out. Because of this, it comes as no surprise that most vehicle owners quickly recognize any drivability issue that presents itself. Of these driveability issues, few can be as aggravating, or difficult to pinpoint as that which could best be described as a … Read more
An internal combustion engine needs four things to run: air, fuel, spark, and compression. Compression is created by spinning the engine. If the engine is off, how would you get it moving again to create this compression? Enter the starter. A starter is a big electric motor that is designed to spin your engine when … Read more
Inside an internal combustion engine, metal components move very rapidly, with tight clearances under intense temperatures and pressures. Without a source of lubrication, these components would quickly wear each other out from metal on metal contact. Engine oil is specifically designed to prevent this catastrophic wear. Engine oil has a pretty tough job. It needs … Read more
Combustion engines operate on the principle of burning things to go faster. Ironically, you’re not supposed to smell anything burning while you’re driving down the road. If you do encounter a burning smell while in or around your vehicle, it’s important to identify the source and correct the problem. Some burning materials are very dangerous … Read more
Some Subarus have a reputation for eating head gaskets at a very low mileage. Where did this reputation come from? Though there was never an official Subaru head gasket recall, the problem is pervasive enough where it can be expected that certain original head gaskets will fail between 100,000 and 150,000 miles (160-241k kilometers). This … Read more
Have you ever gone out to your car in the morning and noticed a strong gasoline smell in the cabin? Perhaps the smell only occurs after you start the car or open the hood? A strong fuel smell around your vehicle is never a good thing, but some causes are worse than others. If you … Read more
Cars have several peripheral devices (also called accessories) which allow their internal combustion engines to function properly. Some of the main accessories include a power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor, and sometimes a vacuum pump. However, these devices cannot function properly without the help of a serpentine belt. This one long continuous belt is the force … Read more